In The News

Congratulations to the 2011-2012 teachers of the year

(May 13, 2011) - Newport News Public Schools teachers of the year range from a career switcher with two years on the job to a veteran of 30 years. The 43 standouts have amassed more than 600 years of experience. Some are generalists, and others are specialists, teaching speech, reading, art, English as a second language, music, physical education, math, science, English, economics, civics, history, and technology. One is a librarian, another a counselor.

Christine Steigleman
Division-wide and Elementary School Teacher of the Year

Christine Steigleman, a fifth-grade teacher at Hidenwood Elementary School, is elementary and district teacher of the year.  Now in her third year at the school, she likes to take advantage of technology in the classroom and is always looking to make learning more engaging for her students.

Steigleman took part in an augmented reality project using iPods and has used – and taught others to use – Glogster in the classroom. She has been a volunteer with the People to People program, heading overseas for service projects in Ireland, Malta, and Italy. Locally, she has helped at Hampton’s International Children’s Festival and Clean the Bay Day.

Brian Nichols, director of elementary education and Steigleman’s former principal, says, “She relentlessly pursues new and innovative ways to engage all students in rigorous, self-directed learning opportunities. Her students are not only prepared for the next grade; they are ready to make a difference in the world.” 

Kurt VanDeusen
Middle School Teacher of the Year

Kurt VanDeusen, who teaches pre-algebra and physical science to eighth-graders at Huntington Middle School, is this year’s middle school teacher of the year. A 14-year teaching veteran and self-proclaimed nerd, he also coaches a Hampton Little League team and teaches Sunday School.

At Huntington, VanDeusen coaches a Lego Ship Repair team. He also is a lifelong learner who enjoys attending lectures at the Jefferson Lab and has participated in the Zero-G Weightless Flights of Discovery. He has applied for the Teacher in Space program.
 

Adria Strothers
High School Teacher of the Year

Adria Strothers, who teaches English to ninth- and 11th-graders at Warwick High School, is the NNPS high school teacher of the year. She has been at Warwick since 2002 and is a member of the school’s Youth Development team.

Strothers also is active in her church, where she has taught and tutored and helped collect food and clothing for the needy. She also works with the G.E.S.U.S. Ball organization, which helps young people develop confidence and abilities by participating in sports.